Advanced Public Library Administration

When: Sept 14 – Dec 6, 2026 (12 weeks)

Cost: $470

CE Credit: 3.5 CEUs/35 LEUs

Program #: 3315

Public library administration encompasses a myriad of duties, capabilities, and skills.

You may have started working with your board, gotten through your first budget cycle, and now know that there are some main “library functions” such as reference, selection, cataloging, and youth services. But what about hiring and supervising staff, working with volunteers, marketing your services, and advocating for support? Fear not: we’ll cover those topics, and many more, in this course that will add to your knowledge, and equip you to lead and direct your public library with confidence.

This course is a requirement for the Wisconsin Public Library Director Certification. Wisconsin library directors taking this class are eligible to apply for a certification course scholarship.

Topics

Relationships with local, state, and federal entities
Federal and state library law
Effectively working and communicating with your library board
Hiring and training staff
Personnel management and policies
Staff supervision, evaluation, discipline; employment laws
Volunteer supervision
Space planning and capital improvements
Building and facilities management and policies
Building safety/OSHA and ADA compliance
Marketing, advocacy, and strategic planning
Working with media
Networking

Required Textbook: Small Public Library Management (2nd Edition) by Cindy Fesemyer and Christina Jones (9798892552684)

This course is offered once a year starting in September.

Instructor

Katelyn Dubiel is the Public Services Consultant at the IFLS Library System and has worked in libraries since 2011. Her experience includes work in urban, small-town, and academic libraries across Wisconsin. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.